Subaru Crosstrek reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 1,188 complaints about the Subaru Crosstrek with NHTSA since 2012, most often about visibility and wipers and other or unspecified. Subaru has filed 9 warranty extensions and 2 service campaigns for it, and there are 13 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Subaru Crosstrek? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Crosstrek a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2012 on.
- Owner complaints
- 1,188
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 9
- Filed by Subaru
- Service campaigns
- 2
- Filed by Subaru
- Safety recalls
- 13
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Crosstrek with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | Cruise control and speed control (25%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | 44 | Other or unspecified (30%) | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 120 | Other or unspecified (28%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2023 | 34 | Other or unspecified (32%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | 31 | Other or unspecified (42%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | 115 | Visibility and wipers (25%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2020 | 69 | Visibility and wipers (43%) | 0 | 4 |
| 2019 | 285 | Visibility and wipers (40%) | 7 | 5 |
| 2018 | 195 | Visibility and wipers (33%) | 5 | 7 |
| 2017 | 94 | Other or unspecified (35%) | 1 | 4 |
| 2016 | 132 | Electrical system (28%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2015 | 17 | Transmission and drivetrain (35%) | 1 | 2 |
| 2014 | 16 | Transmission and drivetrain (44%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2013 | 26 | Engine (42%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 | Engine (100%) | 0 | 1 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Crosstrek model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Subaru
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Subaru filed with NHTSA for the Crosstrek, in its own words. A warranty extension means Subaru pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionJan 2025· Electrical system· model years 2019–2023
As part of Subaru's dedication to customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is announcing a Warranty Extension of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage for the CP1 & Gen 3.1 Infotainment head units for the models listed.
- Warranty extensionDec 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2018–2020
In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is extending the Warranty coverage time period for the fuel pump impeller to 15 years.
- Warranty extensionSep 2024· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2017–2020
Denso low pressure fuel pump warranty extension.
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2016–2018
T16 VoLTE Warranty Extension (15-318-24R) Frequently Asked Questions.
- Warranty extensionApr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2021
This bulletin announces the extended warranty coverage for the Thermo Control valve (TCV) used the the models listed. The coverage will be extended to (15) fifteen years / 150,000 miles.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2016–2018
Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is initiating a service campaign/voluntary emissions recall for certain 2015-2016 model year Legacy and Outback vehicles. This campaign will involve replacement of the front exhaust pipe containing the catalytic converter.
- Warranty extensionOct 2016· Engine· model years 2012–2015
2013-14MY Legacy and Outback Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2011-14MY Forester Models with 2.5L FB Engines - 2015 MY Forester (Manual Transmissions Only) with 2.5L FB Engines - 2012-13 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek Models with 2.0 FB Engines - 2014-15 MY Impreza and XV Crosstrek…
- Warranty extensionApr 2016· Electrical system· model years 2015
2.0L engines. Revised TSB. Reprogramming File Availability for Extended Engine Cranking (Delayed Starting) and Engine Oil Level Detection Improvement This bulletin announces availability of reprogramming files to address customer concerns of extended cranking time before the…
- Service campaignMay 2020· Brakes· model years 2017–2019
This Service Information Bulletin is intended to clarify the proper ordering procedure to use in the rare case when an individual brake hose component of the WUR-03R Service Campaign kit is needed.
- Service campaignNov 2019· Brakes· model years 2018
Owner notification schedule: WUR-03 Impreza & Crosstrek Brake Hose Swelling Customer Satisfaction Program.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Crosstrek model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Visibility and wipers287 (24%)
- Other or unspecified272 (23%)
- Electrical system197 (17%)
- Engine139 (12%)
- Transmission and drivetrain109 (9%)
- Steering49 (4%)
- Visibility46 (4%)
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning42 (4%)
Safety recalls
13 recalls cover at least one Crosstrek model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
An insufficient weld may allow water to enter the inhibitor switch, causing it to fail.
The front driveshaft assemblies' outer race may develop cracks and break.
Due to insufficient clearance, the instrument panel harness may contact the steering beam bracket, damaging the wire insulation and causing a short circuit.
The rear stabilizer bracket bolts may loosen and detach.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, causing a short circuit.
The seat belt webbing sensor locking mechanism may not lock as intended.
The aluminum Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve can separate, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, resulting in a loss of power while driving.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) may continue to power the ignition coil after the engine is shut off, which could result in a short circuit and blown fuse.
The PCV valve may come apart, allowing the separated components to enter the engine, possibly resulting in a loss of power while driving.
The driver's side rear-door window glass may be improperly tempered. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205, "Glazing Materials.
Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions…
A connector inside the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) unit may short circuit resulting in a loss of electric power steering assistance.
These vehicles may be equipped with an incorrect floor mat retention bracket, allowing the floor mat to move out of position and interfere with the accelerator or brake pedal operation.
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Subaru Crosstrek has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Subaru Crosstrek reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2012 on: 1,188 owner complaints, 9 warranty extensions and 2 service campaigns Subaru filed, and 13 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2019 (285), 2018 (195), 2016 (132). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Subaru Crosstrek?
Across every model year since 2012, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name visibility and wipers (24%), other or unspecified (23%), electrical system (17%). Subaru has filed 9 warranty extensions covering the Crosstrek, listed on this page.
Which Crosstrek model years have the most complaints?
2019 (285), 2018 (195), 2016 (132). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Crosstrek with each other rather than with other models.
Has Subaru extended the warranty on the Crosstrek?
Yes: electrical system (model years 2019–2023); fuel and propulsion (model years 2018–2020); fuel and propulsion (model years 2018–2020), and 6 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Crosstrek?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 13 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.